The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-02
"0LD MRS. COLE"
BY S. A. WEISS.

"Oh," said Mrs Stebbins, as she
alighted from wagon at her own
door, and shook hands with Miss
Naylor, who happened to be passing
"you see, | only went for day and a
night, so didn't think it worth while to
advertise it on the church-door! |
wanted to buy some dry goods and
kitchen things, and they're cheaper in
Barnvllle than in q little place like
this. And besides, there's my niece,
Maria, whom hadn't seen since her
last baby was born, and she and the
baby both in poor health. So |
thought might as well go up, and so
Kill two birds with one stone"
ITO be-sure And how did you find
Maria and the baby? And how are
all the folks in Barnvile?"
"Well, ! was glad to find them two
looking pretty smart and spry; and
as for the rest, didn't hear OF any
body being sick or IN trouble, unless
twas old Mrs. Cole"
"Ahl So old Mrs. Coles sick?" said
Miss Naylor, with q look OF aroused
interest. "And what is it ails her this
timer"
"Why, nothing much, | reckon. |
did hear Maria holler to little Betty
7 Cole, and ask how her gran ma was to-
day; and she said bout the same as
yesterday. Maria asked if the fever
was gone down; but Just then Jeems
came in to dinner, so didn't hear the
rest, and forgot to ask Maria about
Mrs. Cole"
swell, WELL Pm sorry to hear she's
sick, poor soul for she's good wom-
an, and we can't easy afford to spare
such. But she's well on in years, and
I've been ruther expectin' to hear OF
her being took down, consIderin' she's
over sixty. But law mel ] mustn't
keep you standin' here in the street,
and you just come home. Goodbye
and depend upon mefor comm round
soon to see what pretty things. you've
brought"
With this Miss Naylor turned away,
and with her basket on her arm pro-
ceeded to the store for supply OF
groceries.
There she found Mrs. Brown, the
house-carpenter' wife, engaged in
cheapening calico.
"You amt as smart as Miss Steb-
bins, said Miss Naylor, as the two crit
ically examined the quality ofthe cali
60. sine been up 20 barnvile, and
laid in lot OF dry-goods and things,
for the sake OF saving about twenty
five cents or so. For my part, / go
for Encouraging home trade"
"Well, don't know Mrs. Brown
replied, doubtfully. "Seems 10 me
everybody's bound to look out for
their own interest, and ] confess I'd
be willing to go little out OF the way
ITO save twenty-five cents. But what
did Sally Stebpins say was the news
in Barnville9"
Nothing, except that old Miss Coles
down with fever. Miss Stebbins said
she was no better when she left.
She's over sixty, and l wouldn't be
surprised to hear of her death any
minute"
81 wonder II John Coles wife knows
OF it3 She ought to be told, for her
husbands mother was second cousin
to old Mrs. Cole, and they've got the
same family name, and always been
friendly. II she dies, they'll OF course
90 to the funeral, as they did when
the old man died, four years ago."
Then Miss Naylor turned to the
groceries, and Mrs. Brown, having
concluded her bargain by persuading
the merchant to take basket OF
dried apples in part payment for his
goods, left the store and took her
way homeward, we'll pleased.
Meeting a neighbor on the way, the
two stopped toexchange greetings and
inquire the news.
THAT reminds me-" said Mrs.
Brown, promptly. 81 jest this min
ute parted from Liza Naylor. and she
told me that she'd seen Mrs. Stebbins,
who's Jest from Barnville, and left old
Mrs. Cole as low as could be with fe-
yer. Liza said they we're every minute
expecting her death. and she's no
doubt gone BY this time, poor soul.
She thinks Jane Cole will 60 to the
funeral, II she knows OF the old lady's
death.
why. of course, they ought to send
4 message and LET 'om know" replied
Nrs. Miller. "Ihev're their own kin.